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Goran Dragic to Have ‘Open’ Free Agency – Houston Rockets Will Pursue

By Salman Ali

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The Houston Rockets have long been linked to Goran Dragic for quite some time and we’ve wrote about it here on HouseOfHouston. However, for the longest time point guard Goran Dragic has been denying any reports of leaving Phoenix. In fact, he even told a Spanish reporter during the FIBA World Cup basketball tournament that he planned on opting out and resigning with the Suns. Now it seems he may be open to exploring what other teams have to offer in free agency.

Sean Deveney from Sporting News is reporting that Goran Dragic will now seek to have an ‘open’ free agency this summer instead of quickly resigning with the Suns. The Slovenian point guard is expected to have many suitors but according to Deveney, the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be two of the top aggressors.

Feb 23, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns shooting guard Goran Dragic (1) goes up for a layup against the Houston Rockets during the second half at US Airways Center. The Houston Rockets won the game 115-112. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Although the 6-5 Suns would like to keep Dragic, they have had some early season struggles thus far. This is partially because of the logjam they have at the point guard position. The Suns currently have Eric Bledsoe under contract for 5 years – $70 million and Isaiah Thomas for 4 years – $28 million. Dragic is currently under contract for 4 years – $34 million which is vastly being looked at as being underpaid so the next contract that he signs is expected to be much more lucrative than this.

Having a large sum of money into your backcourts is one of the more risky things a franchise can do and if it doesn’t work out, the long-term effects are crippling. (As evident in Brooklyn where Deron Williams and Joe Johnson are currently under contract for the combined sum of roughly $40 million per year.) The Suns also lack size and front-court depth and having so much money invested in the backcourt ruins their salary cap flexibility to upgrade their front court.

So if Dragic does choose to sign a big contract, the Suns would more than likely be forced to let him go. This is where the Lakers and Rockets come in.

The 2-9 Los Angeles Lakers are expected to go after every big name free agent with the huge amount of cap space they have accumulated over the years. However, the Lakers are in currently in a rebuilding phase and not even future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant can save this sinking ship from falling out of the playoff race. With all this being said, the Lakers do present an attractive destination but virtually no chance to compete for a championship any time soon.

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The Houston Rockets (currently 9-2), however, are built to win NOW as opposed to later. This could potentially prove to be more attractive to the 28-year old who has a history in Houston after leaving in the summer of 2012 to sign with the Suns. A point guard like Dragic could be just what Houston needs to put them over the top. With the Rockets being a lot closer to a finished product than in LA or Phoenix, Houston could gain the slight edge in the summer of 2015.

What Dragic wants out of a destination is still up for debate and anything now is pure speculation but with the way the Suns are currently playing, it would not be a huge surprise if Dragic chooses not to re-sign this summer and head to a contender.

Of course, the Suns and Rockets could work out a midseason deal to bring the former Rockets point guard back into a Rockets uniform. If the Suns feel like he’s more likely to leave, there is no reason to lose him for nothing in July. May as well make a deal happen where you could also improve your team if you’re going to lose Dragic anyway.

Until then, the tide slowly continues to turn.

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